Claudia Jordan Disputes Meghan Markle’s Claims ‘Deal Or No Deal’ Briefcase Models Were ‘Objectified’
Recently, Meghan Markle claimed that while she was a briefcase model on Deal or No Deal she was treated like a “bimbo” and “objectified.” Now though, a fellow model on the popular game show is disputing those assertions.
Taking to her Instagram account, Claudia Jordan slammed the Duchess of Sussex’s claims, saying that the NBC show “never” treated models in the way she described.
“Now Meghan…” The No. 1 briefcase model-turned Real Housewives of Atlanta alum began her rant posted to her IG Story. “For clarity — yes getting a MODELING GIG on a game show isn’t necessarily about your intellect BUT every show the executive producers picked 5 models with the most outgoing and fun personalities to place mics on who they KNEW would engage with the contestants.”
Jordan, 49, who appeared on Deal or No Deal alongside Markle for a long period of time, directly denied Markle’s claim on her podcast Archetypes that the show treated women in an objectified way.
“Deal or No Deal NEVER treated us like bimbos. We got so many opportunities because of that show, Fremantle and @nbc,” Jordan insisted. “That’s the kind of opportunity that IS what you make it. If you just show up and don’t engage — then you’ll check and not get much out of it — but if you show up and seize your moments … Then there’s no limits to what you can do with the opportunity.”
Additionally, Jordan shared how the game show helped further her career in television.
“I actually enjoyed my experience working on Deal or No Deal…” she said. “It was a step on the ladder I’ve been ascending on for 25 years that paid all my bills, put me in front of 13 million+ people/ night, and led to me getting … On Celebrity Apprentice, Celebrity apprentice All stars, Breast cancer awareness campaign, guest hosting Extra, getting into People Magazine’s 100 most Beautiful issue and SO MUCH more.”
Later, Jordan clarified that she wasn’t targeting Markle directly, but wanted to defend the people who worked for the show.
“This isn’t a [sic] attack on Meghan cause Lord knows I’ve been defending this woman in the media for years and I still WILL but I just didn’t want any misunderstanding about the climate and environment on the Deal or No Deal set. And I’m especially protective of @howiemandel who was nothing but kind and respectful to ALL 26 of us,” she concluded.
Meghan Markle appeared on Season 2 of the show in 2006. While on her podcast, she did acknowledge that she was “grateful” for the opportunity, but that she was only valued for her looks.
“I would end up leaving with this pit in my stomach, knowing I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage,” Markle said on the Tuesday-released podcast episode. “I didn’t like feeling forced to be all looks and little substance. And that’s how it felt for me at the time, being reduced to this specific archetype.”
Markle ended up quitting the show after 34 episodes and eventually went to star in Suits before quitting acting to marry Prince Harry.
